I went on this hike on Monday 9/12.The trail is in good condition, no blowdowns. There was only one other group of people on the trail. I had the summit to myself. This is a good hike if you want a good work out in a relatively short amount of time. Most of the hike is in the woods, but the grand view of the lake from the summit makes it worth the work. At the summit I saw three birds that I believe were grouse.
I would take the advice of the Mountaineers and take the steeper half of the summit loop on the way up, otherwise you will have your back turned to some beautiful views of Copper Mountain. That being said, the longer half of the loop can be a little confusing if you plan to take it down. As it leaves the summit it barely appears to be more than a lightly worn side trail, but after a few yards it becomes more obvious. Also for about half a mile or so, it seems to be taking you completely in the wrong direction, but it eventually switchbacks just before you reach the four trees that are grown together.
In regards to the Duckabush fire: I could see some smoke in a valley a few miles away, but it did not in any way negatively effect my hike on Mount Rose.
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